leeds reads

Judy Freeman has just put a fabulous 76 book bibliography together on one of my favorite book sites, Read, Kiddo, Read. Click here to go directly to the list, which includes fiction and nonfiction, picture books and chapter books. I’m very glad to say most of the titles chosen by Ms. Freeman are on our shelves, available for checkout. Teachers will find excellent read aloud choices, while learners can browse until they find just the “right book”.

Have you ever thought about creating your very own blog? Well, you can start right now! If you are a Leeds Ave School student, I have reserved a page for you at  kidblog.org . Just stop by the library and we’ll set  up your blog together.  Starting a blog is kind of like having an online journal. It’s a place for you to post your thoughts, ideas, feelings, questions- just about anything you’d like to share with your readers. Remember, you will be writing for an audience, so always proofread and check for meaning before hitting the publish button.  C’mon, student bloggers…represent!              

All of this glorious snow makes me think of a favorite poem by Shel Silverstein

Snowball
by Shel Silverstein
I made myself a snow ball as perfect as could be.
I thought I’d keep it as a pet and let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas and a pillow for it’s head.
Then, last night it ran away.
But first — it wet the bed.

For more of Shel Silverstein’s poetry, fun, & games,

click here

OK, no more excuses. It’s been much too long since my last post, and I realize there will never be enough time to get through all that needs to be done, so a little juggling of priorities is in order. Between what’s new in the library and what’s been on my mind, there is much to share with you.

First, what’s new in our library: BOOKS! BOOKS! and more BOOKS! I just finished barcoding and labeling over 150 new titles. Here’s a peek:

This is just a small sampling of the many wonderful new titles, so come in to the library and pick up a few good books!

As many of you have noticed, we now have a Smartboard installed in the library, and this past week we started integrating its use in library lessons. First Graders did an outstanding job of using a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast two stories by Jan Brett, The Hat and The Mitten. Next week, Kindergarten and First Grade lessons will incorporate use of the Smartboard as we visit story sites online.

Mr. Laster and I have been trying to come up with ways to give the upper grade learners more time on the computers so they can improve their information literacy skills. We tried changing around the schedule, but many learners and teachers were unhappy with that change, and Mr. Laster and I agreed it wasn’t all we hoped it would be. We’ve returned to our original schedule of alternating weeks for library and computer lab, but we’ve begun to collaborate on projects which will allow the upper grade learners to work in depth and on consecutive weeks as they explore research strategies, note taking, information assessment, application,and presentation options. We invite all teachers to join us in collaborative efforts to provide meaningful, real world learning opportunities as we introduce 21st century skills to our students.

Until next time,

Teacher Ruth

I just found out about this program through my PLN (Personal Learning Network), while catching up on Twitter:

“In its third year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program is an opportunity to share joy and thanks with our service members throughout the holiday season by way of a greeting card.”

Please don’t forget to follow these guidelines while preparing your holiday greetings!

Do…

• Sign all cards
• Entitle cards “Dear Service Member, Family or Veteran”
• Limit cards to 15 per person or 50 for school class or business group
• Bundle groups of cards in single, large envelopes (there is no need to include individual envelopes and postage for cards)

Don’t…

• Send letters
• Include personal information such as home or email addresses
• Use glitter – excessive amounts can aggravate health issues of wounded recipients
• Include inserts of any kind as they must be removed in the screening process

I’ll be sending this information to all of our classroom teachers, so you might be making cards in class, but you can still make some at home. Maybe your parents, brothers, and sisters, would all like to help, too. If you cannot send the cards out, bring them to the library and I’ll send them for you. Click here to get more information on this wonderful program.

Veteran’s Day is the perfect time to learn more about those who served in our military. Visit  the Veteran’s Affairs site  for information, games, and activities.

One of my favorite picture books, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, is the inspiration for a  3D feature film of the same name  now playing at a theater near you. In the film, a well meaning scientist tries to solve the problem of world hunger, but things go terribly wrong. Check out the web site, where you can watch videos, read about the characters, and play online games.

Almost every kid I know remembers the classic and much-beloved Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. The tale of Max’s adventure on an island inhabited by strange creatures opens on October 16th. Visit here to watch trailers and view the gallery.

Last but certainly not least, Nov. 13th is opening day for  Fantastic Mr. Fox, based on the book by Roald Dahl, who also authored Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, and James And The Giant Peach. The tale follows Mr. Fox, family man, who gives in to his animal instincts and becomes a chicken thief, setting in motion a series of events that endanger his family as well as the entire animal community.

See you at the movies!

This Thursday, we will begin a new school year  here in Pleasantville. I look forward to seeing those of you who are “old timers”, and meeting  those students who are entering Leeds Ave for the very first time. We are planning many new and exciting activities and programs for the library. There are hundreds of new books for you to browse, including the latest graphic novels, lots of fiction, non-fiction, and biographies of your favorite performers. Stop in and say hello- you are always welcome in the library!

Ameena, one of the stars of our summer reading program commercial, has made it into the local paper! She and her sister Amira attended the poetry contest at the Pleasantville library. Click here to be taken to The Current, and turn to the second page. Here is Ameena’s winning poem:
Ameena  W., 10, of Pleasantville

I love the beach,

I play music and like to dance,

At night, I like to sit under the moonlight,

while dinosaurs walk the land.

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You go, girl!

By the way, you can see Ameena and her co-stars Adam and Bella every day at the start and the end of the P’Ville School District Board Meetings, which are shown daily at 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on local channel 2. It’s a performance you won’t want to miss!

On another happy note, two of our monarch butterflies have emerged from their chrysalides. They’re both healthy and beautiful. My son Elijah snapped these photos of one of them:

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Can you tell if it’s a male or female? (Hint: Look closely at the wings)

Lastly, while we’re speaking about “Star Sightings”, take a look at the newest members of our family:

Meet Fernando on the left, and Sophia on the right. We are now the proud parents of two beautiful baby parakeets! I know this will be another wonderful animal adventure for our family, which now consists of mom, three kids, two dogs, one ball python, and two parakeets.